Let's Make

A guide for promoting making in libraries

Find out how libraries that have implemented maker activities support individuals and whole communities by offering health- and disability-related activities, medical applications of library maker resources:

using makerspace or digital media lab equipment to design and craft devicied which assist people with disavilities (e.g. 3D printed prostheses),

forming partnerships with other institutions or organization that use technology to support people with disabilities,

Examples:

In the Broward County Library’s makerspace – the Creation Station one of the projects included a prosthetic thumb for a handicapped customer, which was created with the assistance of the Creation Station’s two-person staff. And a visually impaired customer created a device that worked in conjunction with her Braille and audio devices, allowing her greater freedom and mobility at home.

In the MakerSpace ran by the Johnson County Library a 17-year-old patron used a 3D printer to craft a prosthetic hand for a 9 year-old Matthew who is missing fingers on his right hand. 3D design of the prosthesis was available on Thingiverse.

In Sacramento Public Library (California, US) a volunteer has initiated partnerships with the Society for the Blind and Crocker Art Museum so that those with vision impairments can interact with art in a tactile way by handling 3D printed facsimiles of works in the Crocker collection.

E-nabling The Future is is a global community and network of volunteers using 3D printing to give the World a “Helping Hand” – prosthetic divives that may help people with disabilities. The network’s website contains resources: tutorials, tips, links and stories. Patricipants of the network include libraries (as mentioned on the website).